March 7, 2016, Prescott- This past weekend featured my shortest visit to southern California, since July 3, 2013. It was truncated by the intense storms hitting the region- with rare Winter electrical elements, and hail, in the mix.
My visit with my son, Aram, was the main reason for the journey. It is indicative of how much of me he has absorbed, that he asked whether I was just “swinging by” on the way to see friends. It is true that, in the past, I have combined a visit with him and those with friends in Orange County and Los Angeles. That was not the case this time, as both weather and fiscal prudence put the latter two segments on hold, until early June.
One of the things I enjoy doing is connecting people with places in the area where I happen to be, that they enjoy or find useful. I do this here in Home Base, and I was able to do so with Aram, in Chula Vista. I introduced him to a small Thai restaurant, near his home, on Saturday night. Yesterday afternoon, we discovered Rice Canyon, a lovely trail just ten minutes’ walk from his apartment. This trail system, a feature of the City of Chula Vista, gives area residents a lovely venue for hiking, biking and jogging.
Here are some scenes of this floral, riparian preserve.
There is a pleasant mix of desert and subtropical flora here, as elsewhere in the San Diego area. Palm trees abound, though they are in a state of drought-induced duress right now.
Erosion, mostly man-made, is a concern for the friends of Rice Canyon. Aram was underwhelmed at the notion of “side trails”, in the preserve. Lemonade berry shrubs(above/upper right) provided the Kumayaay people with a sour beverage. A small creek, (above, lower right) peeked out at the discerning walker. Myrtillocacti (below) are also common in the South Bay of San Diego and the Tijuana Estuary.
We had a fine introduction to the canyon, during a seven-hour respite from the rain that graced southern California with its presence. This morning, no sooner had I left the city, than the rain resumed, with a vengeance.
Looks like a lovely urban riparian wilderness! I remember — you mentioned, when Aram moved, that he was near Rice Canyon, although you probably said that you would later explore the canyon! It really does look like a great place to re-create!
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So it goes. I’m glad he knows of the park now, and will be able to use it, in his fitness regimen.
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Not enough rain to counteract the damage from the drought? I hope if that’s the case, that they get more soon. So glad you enjoyed the trip!
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In Southern California, we are currently at about half the average annual rainfall. After 5 years of drought, we need a LOT more rain before we counteract that! After a February with no rain at all, it is predicted that we will see rainfall at least once a week through March and possibly into April, but that will likely bring us up to just about the average!
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Climate change! Thank you for sharing!
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Droughts are very stubborn, in the West, and are only exacerbated by interruptions in the flow of moisture, such as happened in February.
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I’m glad the rain took a timeout so you could get out with Aram. I love the idea of connecting people with their places! You are a neat guy, Gary.
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Thanks, Mark. I may be going through Houston, in late June or late July- to or from the East Coast, and family visits.
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Lovely photos of the trail.
Good that you took some time to be with your son. Probably you need to see him more often. 🙂 😉
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That is more likely to happen when he is re-assigned, early next year.
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The climate is changing all over the world! We are also very dry over here in Australia
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